City Commissioners Pass Budget; Trouble on the Horizon

For the first time in five years, officials tell us the City of Gainesville was able to leave the budget as planned.

The major cuts were made last year, including employee lay-offs, and eliminating vacant positions, but there's still a few changes that will hit wallets next year.

Gainesville city commissioners passed GRU rate increases Monday night; about three dollars a month for the average household, but left the mileage rate alone, despite decreasing property values.

Next year's budget also includes a two percent salary increase for city employees, but officials say the city has already started planning for a coming storm.

"We do know at this point that we do have a small deficit for fiscal 13, just under two million dollars, and it grows in fiscal 14, so we already know that we have some work to do," said Becky Rountree, Administrative Services Director for the city.

The fire assessment fee, $78 per fire protection unit-- will remain the same next year. Raises still have to be bargained with the seven unions representing city employees.